Australasian taxonomy and systematics

Holotypes are the universal standards we
use to build our taxonomic knowledge. Since the integration of genetic data
into our methods, our knowledge of diversity is rapidly increasing, but rarely can be linked back to species names. This has led to a divergence of knowledge systems
where sometimes we have a parallel set of understanding that cannot be accurately
tied together. In order to progress taxonomy, we need to be able to link all
this new information with the centuries of foundational work based largely on
morphology. Most holotypes are old, or preserved in a way that doesn’t easily
allow the extraction of genetic information. However, newer technologies have
overcome many of these issues (e.g. formalin preservation, degraded samples)
and it should be possible to retrieve a barcode that could link historical type
material with molecular studies.

By 2028 we will barcode 50%
of holotypes in Australasian collections. This will result in the ability to link genetic information
with available names and provide context for interpreting all molecular
studies. This will solve some seemingly intractable taxonomic questions, and
provide an essential resource for the future. This matters because currently,
at best, molecular studies can include material re-collected from type
localities, but most don’t, or can’t, since these areas may be highly impacted
by human development. The proposed project will provide absolute certainty for
contemporary identifications.

While it is not possible to utilise a single
gene across all life, the key is unlocking the relevant marker for the groups
of interest. Shotgun sequencing can be used to produce barcodes for type material. Shotgun sequencing breaks up DNA into small pieces, which get
sequenced in short, overlapping fragments. These are assembled into continuous
pieces, which will usually contain the high copy genes that we often use for
species-level studies.

By maintaining project-level hubs at the
involved institutions, existing databases will maintain the complete metadata
record, while a purpose-built (very simple) database could list the species
name and collection registration number. Using these two terms in a search of
the public database GenBank, where data will be deposited, will retrieve all
available data for that type. Other resources required would be salaries for
project managers/scientists, a budget for sequencing, and the support of the
involved institutions.

This project will increase the utility and
integration of existing genetic information and provide absolute certainty of
species-level identifications. It will also reduce the need for loaning or
handling type material, which in many cases, becomes more fragile with age. This
is future-proofing taxonomy!

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5 responses

This is an important goal that should be incorporated into the DP. I would extend the goal to 100% of types in Australasian collections. The real challenges for many insect studies that the old, critical type material is in Europe. We should attempt to obtain phenotypic data (digital images) or genotypic data for these as well.

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A posthaven user

A posthaven user
upvoted this post.

I think this is a significant and challenging goal, and one that would assist not only taxonomists, but also the wider research community. Type material is so important and it would be a significant contribution to science if barcoding, together with imaging of all types, could be freely accessible. Opportunities to recollect material from type localities (where types have been lost/destroyed or in poor condition for barcoding) would also be a fantastic addition to this Idea.